We were in that position 10 years ago.
The standard response for them is that one of you has a "chronic condition that can only get worse". That's what AARP insurance told me.

Look for any groups, professional groups, church or civic groups(like your Chamber of Commerce) that you belong to or can join...that have a group insurance policy.

I know what you are going through. DH lost his job in July after being there for 19 years, we paid Cobra for several months then we checked into e-insurance. They would not take me for the fact that I take/had blood pressure meds, anti depressants for eight months. We could not accept that with the winter months coming which are bad for me so we checked into Mega insurance and we were accepted. So, far I have use them two times for a second mammo and a regular doctor appointment. No co-pays for neither of them.
I would check them out if I were you. Good Luck.
Deb

Clare, isn't there a newish (California?) law that says the Cobra coverage cannot disallow any previously diagnosed conditions? I'm sorry I don't remember just when I heard of this, but I think within the last year or two. Can you check it out? Or maybe someone else can elaborate or at least know what I think I'm remembering.

sjerin - I am accepted by Cobra, but the cost is insane. Sorry if I wasn't clear. We were looking for cheaper alternatives, but no other insurance will cover me because of the CPAP machine. And then there is the fact that Cobra will run out. I sure hope DH finds a job by then.
Clare

I was applying for Long Term Care Insurance and they asked me if I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea and if I used a CPAP machine!! I had talked with my doctor last month and told her I thought I had sleep apnea but I didn't want to be tested until I had been accepted by the long term care company. She agreed that would be a good idea.

I was shocked that sleep apnea is a red flag. I would think they would not hold a CPAP machine against you. And there are different degrees of sleep apnea...some really bad and others not as bad. I would hate to pay higher payments for any kind of insurance because I snored.

I hope you can find something less expensive. Insurance rates are a huge problem in this country.

Susan

The time limit on Cobra coverage was lifted years ago...just months after mine ran out.

I use a Cpap machine and have for years. I never heard any of this before. I would think it would make it easier to get insurance.

I did not know this but it will be added to my concerns for the future. I have/had 5 1 and 2 degree relatives that use them so figure I will need one within a few years!

No help but we had a TIME with Eric and his back problems. Finally got catastrophic coverage that excluded everything that had been diagnosed in the last 2-5 years (not sure the exact time frame). Even the flu would not have been covered if he would have had it in the time frame!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information. I only use it because of snoring not because I stop breathing. My DS also has one because he does stop breathing every hour or so. Unfortunately he won't wear it all night but takes it off half way because it is uncomfortable. He also won't be covered on any insurance. I think the whole insurance and medical industry needs to be redone. Too many people don't have any coverage the way it is. OK, I am stepping off my soapbox now. LOL
Clare

Gramzeeinmd....read the complaints on Mega Insurance.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mega+insurance&aq=0amp;oq=Mega+I

Look into getting coverage just for catastrophic illnesses - something with a very high deductible and a much lower rate. Then see if you can find a prescription plan. You aren't likely to spend anywhere near $20,000 in a year so bank the money you save just as if you were sending it to an insurance company. Use that to cover your medical costs.

They can't turn you down (at least in my state) as long as you've maintained continuous coverage. Have you let your coverage lapse? Continuous coverage is defined as having coverage within the last 63 days.

What they usually do when they can't refuse but don't want to accept is to raise the premium on the basis of a medical condition. That keeps a lot of people with the "undesirable condition" from getting the coverage because of the high price.

They can turn you down if you are going from group coverage to private coverage. We had the same thing happen to us with my DH and his kidney stones. We had group coverage. When my DH left the job we had to get private insurance. They did not cover his stones at all, nor the medication for them. We have group coverage again now, but anything that we were treated for in the last 12 months will not be covered. It is considered a pre-existing condition. If he can go 12 months with NO treatment they will cover. The good news is that they will cover his meds now. That alone is saving us close to $100. I am so sorry you are having to deal with this Clare. Prayers will continue that he finds something else quick and you will be taken care of.

Trish

9 years ago, I continued with Blue Cross via Cobra, and when that ran out, I received guaranteed Blue Cross coverage via the HIPAA Act (after being turned down elsewhere). There can't be any gaps in coverage between the Cobra and HIPAA plans. Our insurance is $12K per year and goes up about 5% every six months. It's a pretty standard PPO plan with $2500 deductible (per person) and $10 copays for generics, $25 for brand names AFTER $500 drug deductible is met. I can't remember if the covereage is 70/30 or 80/20.

Whatever you do, don't let your current coverage lapse as you look for something more affordable.

(((Clare)))